The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program is a global knowledge and technical assistance program administered by the World Bank. Its mission is to assist low- and middle-income countries to increase know-how and institutional capacity to achieve environmentally sustainable energy solutions for poverty reduction and economic growth. Since its inception in 1983, ESMAP has supported more than 800 energy-sector activities that promote poverty reduction, economic growth and low carbon development in over 100 countries. FOCUS AREAS Energy Security To help ensure long-term energy security, countries are looking closely at renewable energy, efficiency practices and technologies, diversification of supply, and improved sector performance. ESMAP assists its clients to carry out energy assessments and develop strategies to enhance sector planning, regulation, and governance. Energy Access About 1.4 billion of the world’s people still lack access to electricity, and poor households spend US$20 billion a year on low-quality, fuel-based lighting. Respiratory diseases are widespread among the 2.7 billion people who still rely on biomass for cooking, with women and children hit the hardest. ESMAP supports initiatives to reduce energy poverty by expanding access to modern, safe, affordable and sustainable energy services. ESMAP’s energy access work covers electrification and household energy needs in rural areas and for the urban poor. Climate Change Climate change will directly affect energy resource endowments, infrastructure, and transportation, as well as energy demand. ESMAP assists client countries to integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation options into energy sector planning. ESMAP also supports the scale-up of renewable energy through resource assessments, strategy development, and policy and institutional development.
History
ESMAP was established in 1983 in response to the global energy crisis of the late 1970s, and the impact this was having on the economies of oil-importing developing countries. ESMAP has since operated in over 100 countries through more than 800 activities covering a broad range of energy issues.
Role
Starting in Fiscal Year 2014, ESMAP transitioned to a three-year business plan cycle. This Business Plan sets out ESMAP’s objectives, priorities, strategies, and resource requirements for FY2014‐16. It draws on experience gained in implementing the previous Business Plan, consultations with the Consultative Group of donors, advice from the Technical Advisory Group, conclusions and recommendations of the External Evaluation of ESMAP conducted in 2011‐2012, and lessons learned from the annual ESMAP Portfolio Review. Looking ahead, in the context of a rapidly changing global energy landscape, the primary objective for the international community is to achieve progress on the triple challenge of providing increased energy supply and security, eliminating energy poverty, and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Clearly, this can only be achieved with transformative changes in the design and management of national and regional energy systems and global efforts. The proposed Business Plan will be based on the following principles: Help shape the future. Measure results and demonstrate impacts. Provide value for money. Ensure relevance to the Bank’s country sector dialogue and lending operations. Working across sectors. Scaling‐up to respond to increased client demand. Increase support to low‐income countries, while maintaining engagement with middle‐income countries; and Strengthen cooperation with other multilateral and bilateral development agencies
Activities
ESMAP's current work program comprises activities broken down into three broad categories: clean energy, energy access and energy efficiency.
Governance
ESMAP is governed by a Consultative Group made up of representatives from contributing donors and chaired by the Director of the Sustainable Energy Department of the World Bank, on behalf of the Vice President of the Sustainable Development Network. The CG meets annually to review the strategic directions of ESMAP, its achievements, and its use of resources and funding requirements. ESMAP’s donors are: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
